The comma, aside from its technical uses in mathematical, bibliographical, and other contexts, indicates the smallest break in sentence structure. It denotes a slight pause. Effective use of the comma involves good judgment, with ease of reading the end in view. Here are some guidelines.
The Comma in Dates.
Commas needed or omitted. In the month-day-year style of dates, the style most commonly used in the United States, commas are used both before and after the year. In the day-month-year system--sometimes awkward in regular text, though useful in material that requires many full dates--no commas are needed. Where month and year are only given, or a specific day (such as a holiday) with a year, neither system uses a comma.
The Comma in Addresses and Names
Addresses and place-names in text. Commas are used to set off the individual elements in addresses or place-names that are run into the text. No comma appears between a street name and an abbreviation such as SW or before a postal code.
In a mailing address, commas should be used as sparsely as possible.
Personal names plus place-names. Commas are used to set off a place of residence immediately following a person's name unless the place is essential to the meaning of the sentence or is considered part of the person's name.
"Jr.," "Sr.," and the like. Commas are no longer required around Jr. and Sr. If commas are used, however, they must appear both before and after the element. Commas never set off I, III, and such when used as part of a name.
"Inc.," "Ltd.," and the like. Commas are not required around Inc., Ltd., and such as part of a company's name. As with Jr., however, if commas are used, they must appear both before and after the element.
We hope this was useful. Take another look at that document you're working on and make sure you're using commas properly.
Source: The Chicago Manual of Style.
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